In 2026, fresh shades are turning the bathroom into a design highlight of the home. But before you jump to picking all the latest paint colors, patterns, and fixtures, focus on how your unique chosen color story makes you and your guests feel.
We contacted experts on this matter for their input. “Lighting, finish, sheen, and material pairing are just as important as the color itself,” says Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Studio. “In 2026, the most successful bathrooms will feel personal, restorative, and designed for longevity rather than a quick change.”
Consider these of-the-moment color trends, from paint to tile to even fixtures, as your starting point for creating a bathroom that you’ll love for years to come.
- Kerrie Kelly is the CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio.
- Jessica Luna is the owner and principal designer of JLL Interiors.
Use the following trending paint color categories to guide your selection of bathroom wall colors.
Jay Wilde
Warm Whites
Whether warm mineral whites, off whites, or complex creams—these soft, clean hues will be dominant in bathrooms in 2026. “These are replacing stark, cool whites, offering a softer, more restorative backdrop that aligns with wellness-driven design,” says Kelly. The designer suggests pairing warm white shades with materials like honed stone, warm wood tones, and unlacquered brass.
Jessica Luna, owner of JLL Interiors, suggests painting the bathroom’s walls and trim in the same color white for a warm, enveloping look.
Stacey Brandford
Soft, Muted Greens
Nature-inspired shades such as eucalyptus, sage, and olive can help homeowners create a spa-like effect at home. “In bathrooms, they create a grounding effect and pair effortlessly with natural stone, brushed nickel, aged bronze, and light oak or walnut vanities,” says Kelly.
Werner Straube
Earthy Neutrals
Whether clay, khaki, terra-cotta, or shades of brown, earthy neutrals are in as we move away from cool grays and blacks. With it comes a resurgence in wood furniture, which means rich, warm brown vanities, says Luna. “Try pairing brown walls with cream trim and doors, marble countertops with caramel brown veining, and unlacquered brass or nickel plumbing fixtures,” she says.
Dramatic, Inky Blue-Charcoals
“Deep blue-charcoals offer drama while remaining timeless,” says Kelly. She suggests using this color trend strategically and carefully selecting complementary materials. Pair this saturated shade story with polished nickel, marble, and layered lighting to lean into the drama.
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Tile Color Trends
From flooring to showers to vanity backsplashes, tile plays a significant role in bathroom design. Here are the top tile color trends experts predict for the year ahead.
Julie Soefer
Natural Neutrals
Look for limestone- and travertine-inspired tiles in soft beige and sand tones to usher in a return to classic materials with staying power, says Kelly. “These tones work well on floors and walls—pair with warm metals and tonal grout.”
Werner Straube
Softly Veined Marble
Kelly says veining is taking a more subtle approach in 2026, with warm gray and cream marble that feels both serene and timeless. The designer says this look is perfect for floors, backsplashes, and shower walls, and pairs well with polished or brushed fixtures.
Patrick Biller
Muted Zellige-Inspired Tiles
“Handcrafted looks in soft whites, greens, and clay tones add texture and movement,” says Kelly. This style works particularly well in smaller applications, such as niches and accent walls, where it pairs with more natural-looking finishes, including plaster and wood.
Kim Cornelison
Monochromatic Tiles
Bathrooms are trending toward a more tonal, single-color palette for the year ahead, says Kelly, who advises looking to finishes and textures to add contrast and interest. She says this design concept works especially well in European-inspired baths and those wanting a more contemporary aesthetic.
Gavin Cater
Deep Greens
“Greens will dominate in 2026 both in paint colors and in tile,” says Luna. She advises color drenching the walls, ceiling, and shower or tub alcove, and adding brass plumbing for a pop against the dark green backdrop.
Edmund Barr
Rustic Red
Luna predicts dark red will have a moment in 2026, but advises sticking to a small-scale implementation, such as a checkerboard zellige-tiled shower wall. This trend can have a big impact even in a small application.
Michael Garland
Burnt Yellow
Yet another unexpected take on tile color trends for 2026 is burnt yellow. Here, it will be especially important to pay attention to complementary colors in order to keep the look cohesive and grounded. “Try pairing a burnt yellow tile with a creamy white tile in a striped pattern for a shower wall,” says Luna.
John Gruen
Tubs, Toilets, and Sink Color Trends
While white remains at the top of the color story for tubs, toilets, and sinks, Kelly says soft whites, subtle matte finishes, and biscuit tones are all entering the space, creating a more integrated and intentional feel. “Freestanding tubs and sculptural sinks in these hues create a quieter luxury and pair well with brushed metals and natural materials.”
Color Updates for Every Commitment Level
Everyone is at a different stage in their bathroom renovation journey. Consider this expert advice based on your current situation and your desired level of implementation for these color trends.
Low Commitment
For those looking to dip their toe into a new color trend, Kelly advises painting a vanity, using a new tile in a niche or backsplash, or simply playing with color through accessories and textiles. Luna suggests introducing warmer colors through painted walls and trim, which the designer says can always be repainted if you change your mind.
Medium Commitment
According to Luna, freshening your light fixtures with more on-trend finishes can help you incorporate color swaps more permanently. “Remove the brushed nickel and matte black lighting and replace them with interesting light fixtures that have warm metals like polished nickel and polished or unlacquered brass,” she says.
High Commitment
If you’re confident in your color choices, go all in with floor-to-ceiling tile and a saturated paint palette. Luna suggests using a mosaic pattern in your flooring or shower tile, adding a contrasting shower niche, or installing a colored marble shower curb for high-impact ways to get in on these color trends.